On Inspiration Pt. 3

I’ve given my (few) readers a glimpse into what fuels me creatively when it comes to music and words, but now it seems like it’s about time I shared some of my favorite films. Film, in my opinion, is one of the most difficult forms of art. It combines everything we understand in terms of creation and fabrication in an attempt to mirror reality. While not necessarily successful at portraying absolute realism, I personally find the art of filmmaking to reflect truth and the human need to create.

Cloud Atlas dir. by Tom Tykwer, Lana Wachowski, & Lilly Wachowski
“I climb the steps of the Scott Monument every morning and all becomes clear. Wish I could make you see this brightness. Don’t worry, all is well. All is so perfectly, damnably well. I understand now that boundaries between noise and sound are conventions. All boundaries are conventions, waiting to be transcended. One may transcend any convention if only one can first conceive of doing so. Moments like this, I can feel your heart beating as clearly as I feel my own, and I know that separation is an illusion. My life extends far beyond the limitations of me.”

Kill Your Darlings dir. by John Krokidas
“Be careful, you are not in Wonderland. I’ve heard the strange madness long growing in your soul, in your isolation but you fortunate in your ignorance. You who have suffered find where love hides, give, share, lose, lest we die unbloomed.”

Memoirs of a Geisha dir. by Rob Marshall
“Kindness we receive in our lives is not always enough.”

Atonement dir. by Joe Wright
“Dearest Cecilia, the story can resume. The one I had been planning on that evening walk. I can become again the man who once crossed the surrey park at dusk, in my best suit, swaggering on the promise of life. The man who, with the clarity of passion, made love to you in the library. The story can resume. I will return. Find you, love you, marry you and live without shame.”

Moulin Rouge! dir. by Baz Luhrmann
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”

Across the Universe dir. by Julie Taymor
“Music’s the only thing that makes sense anymore, man. Play it loud enough, it keeps the demons at bay.”

About Time dir. by Richard Curtis
“I’m not taking my panties off for Scotland!”

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King dir. by Peter Jackson
“Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It’ll be spring soon. And the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they’ll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields… and eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?”

It’s a Wonderful Life dir. by Frank Capra
“What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That’s a pretty good idea. I’ll give you the moon, Mary.”